Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (8th Edition) vs Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 is the better laptop on paper: it lasts longer on a charge, has a sharper screen and has Thunderbolt or USB4. Pick the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 only if it matters to you that it has HDMI and an SD card reader.
We earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases made through our links, at no extra cost to you. This never affects our specs. How we make money.
Key differences
- Battery life Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 wins
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 should last longer on a charge: its Snapdragon X2 Plus uses less power, even with a smaller 54 Wh battery against 60 Wh.
- Sharpness Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 wins
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8's screen is sharper: 2K against Full HD.
- Ports Depends on you
Only the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 has Thunderbolt or USB4, while only the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 has HDMI and an SD card reader.
- Extras Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 wins
Only the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 has a backlit keyboard and Copilot+ AI features.
- Smoothness Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 wins
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8's 120 Hz screen is smoother than the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3's 60 Hz one.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 if…
- You work away from a plug: it should last longer on a charge (its maker claims up to 20 hours).
- You read, write or edit photos a lot: its 2K screen makes text and images crisper.
- You plug things in: it has Thunderbolt or USB4 (for fast docks and drives).
- You want a backlit keyboard and Copilot+ AI features, handy for typing in dim rooms and Windows' newest AI tools.
- You like smooth scrolling: its 120 Hz screen feels slicker.
Choose the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 if…
- You plug things in: it has HDMI (for TVs and monitors) and an SD card reader (for camera cards).
- You might want more memory later: you can add it yourself.
- You do demanding work: its AMD Ryzen 7 170 has the power for photo and video editing.
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 leads on battery and weight, the screen and extras; elsewhere the two are closely matched. Highlighted values mark the better spec in each row, and you can hide the rows where they match.
Performance
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is ahead on performance.
It can be upgraded, and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (8th Edition) | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon X2 Plus (10 Core) | AMD Ryzen 7 170 |
| Graphics | Qualcomm Adreno GPU | AMD Radeon 680M |
| AI engine (NPU) | 80 TOPS | — |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory type | LPDDR5x | DDR5-4800 |
| Maximum memory | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Soldered (not upgradeable) | Upgradeable (slots) |
| Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
| Storage interface | Removable Gen 4 SSD | PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe M.2 2242 |
| Storage slots | — | 2 |
Screen
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 is ahead on the screen.
It has a sharper screen, has a smoother screen and has a brighter screen, and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (8th Edition) | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 13.8" | 14" |
| Resolution | 2K (2304 x 1536) | Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) |
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 16:10 |
| Panel | LCD | IPS |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Variable refresh (VRR) | — | No |
| Brightness | 600 nits | 300 nits |
| Colour range | — | 45% NTSC |
| HDR | HDR, 600 nits peak; Dolby Vision IQ support | None |
| Finish | — | Matte |
| Touchscreen | Yes | No |
Battery and size
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 is ahead on battery and weight.
It lasts longer on a charge, and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (8th Edition) | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 20 hours | Up to 18 hours |
| Battery capacity | 54 Wh | 60 Wh |
| Charges via | USB-C (USB4) and Surface Connect | round tip / USB-C PD |
| Fast charging | Fast charging supported with min. 60W USB-C PD charger or 65W Surface Power Supply (sold separately); no percentage/time claim | 2 hours runtime from 15-minute charge (Rapid Charge Boost) |
| Weight | 1.36 kg | 1.43 kg |
| Dimensions | 301 x 220 x 17.5 mm | 314.4 x 222.1 x 17.9-18.9 mm |
| Materials | Recycled aluminium alloy enclosure (A cover and C bucket) | PC-ABS lid and base |
| Durability | — | MIL-STD-810H |
| Colour | Black | Luna Grey |
| Colours available | Black, Platinum | Cosmic Blue, Luna Grey |
Ports and wireless
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 is ahead on ports and wireless.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 has Thunderbolt or USB4, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 has HDMI and an SD card reader.
| Spec | Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (8th Edition) | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 2x USB-C / USB4 (charging, data, DisplayPort 2.1), 1x USB-A 3.2, 1x 3.5 mm audio, 1x Surface Connect (charging) | 2x USB-A 5Gbps, 1x USB-C 5Gbps (USB PD 45-65W, DisplayPort 1.2), 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x 3.5 mm audio, 1x SD card reader, 1x round-tip power |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | USB4 | None |
| External displays (max) | 3 | 2 |
| Card reader | None | SD |
| Ethernet | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Wi-Fi card | — | Wi-Fi 7 802.11be 2x2 M.2 card |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 | Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 is ahead on extras.
It has a backlit keyboard and Copilot+ AI features, and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (8th Edition) | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 1080p | 1080p + IR |
| Webcam privacy | — | physical shutter |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | No |
| Keyboard | Automatic backlight, Copilot key | 6-row, 1.3 mm travel, Copilot key, non-backlit |
| Login | Face | Face |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | Precision haptic touchpad with advanced haptics and adaptive touch mode | 75 x 120 mm Mylar Precision touchpad |
| Speakers | Omnisonic speakers with Dolby Atmos | 2x 2W, Dolby Audio |
| Microphones | Dual Studio Mics with voice focus | dual-array |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | TPM 2.0, Microsoft Pluton security processor | Firmware TPM 2.0 |
Software and model
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 is ahead on software and updates.
It is newer, and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (8th Edition) | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home in S mode |
| Model number | EP2-60925 | 83K60080UK |
| Released | 2026 | 2025 |